This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta brings restaurant-quality flavor to your table in just 20 minutes! Tender chunks of chicken, colorful bell peppers, and a velvety Cajun-spiced sauce wrap around bow tie pasta for a dinner that’s both comforting and bold. It’s the perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and cheesy all in one skillet.
Ingredients
- 8 oz bow tie pasta
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1½ tsp minced garlic
- 2–3 chicken breasts, cut into bite-size chunks
- 3 tsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup milk
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Boil the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
Step 2: Sauté the Chicken and Peppers
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Toss in chicken pieces, sliced peppers, Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 4–5 minutes until the chicken is golden and cooked through.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Sauce
Pour in the milk and add the softened cream cheese. Stir gently until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Combine Everything
Add the cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese. Toss until everything is coated in the rich, spicy sauce. Serve immediately with garlic bread or a crisp green salad for the ultimate weeknight meal.
Cajun Chicken Pasta
Equipment
- Large skillet 12-inch preferred
- Pasta pot
- Colander
- Wooden spoon
- Chef’s knife
Ingredients
- 8 oz bow tie pasta
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1.5 tsp minced garlic
- 2-3 chicken breasts, cut into chunks
- 3 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup milk
- 0.75 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain, rinse briefly with cool water, and set aside.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add chicken, bell peppers, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sauté 4–5 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Pour in milk and add cream cheese; stir until smooth and creamy. Toss in pasta and Parmesan until coated. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to your heat preference.
- Reserve a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Great with garlic bread or a simple green salad.